is lottery a good idea Essay

Gambling and the lottery is a tax on the poor. The Texas Tech University did research on the people who played the Texas Lottery and discovered that people with no high school diploma spent a monthly average of $179. They also did a study on what the average is on college graduates and the spend an average of $49 a month. As well as the Texas Tech study other studies show that people who live in lower income ZIP-codes spend more money on the lottery than anyone else. Gambling and the lottery is a tax

When most people play the lottery today, they think about having wealth. Generally, people who win are happy about it whether they win one dollar or a million. The lottery in our society has grown to support education and it is often worth several million dollars. Usually, the winner of the lottery gains a lot of recognition for the money they win. But what would happen if there was a small town where people held a yearly lottery in which the “winner” was the member of the town who was not sacrificed? This question is answered in Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery.” In reading this story, and reading literary criticism about the story, there were many symbols and much symbolism in this story.

The idea of winning a lottery is associated with luck, happiness and anticipation of good things. In Shirley Jackson's story, " The Lottery", this is not the case. The irony of the story is that the winner of the lottery gets stoned to death by everyone else in the town. The story is very effective because it examines certain aspects of human nature.

The history of the lottery began some fifty plus years ago where before then it was banned in every state in America. After state governments decided it was partly their responsibility to protect citizens from the dangers of gambling, they found it to be their duty to govern the lottery. New Hampshire established the first state lottery in 1964, it then soon spread throughout the northeast. All the states between Maryland and Maine had a lottery, by 1978. Lotteries went west in the 1980s, adding 18 more states from Virginia to California. The southern states held out the longest. In the 1990s, only three southern states authorized lotteries and five more in the 2000s. Today 44 states promote and operate lotteries with Wyoming being the last

The lottery offers a wonderful opportunity to possibly win millions of dollars. While this might seems amazing, it might not be as wonderful as imagined. In fact, maybe even the opposite might true as stated by numerous studies and research done since the 1970s.

The concept of the lottery is the same throughout every state, people have money and are interested in “playing the odds”; the revenue from these people is then divided and used to benefit organizations of the state’s choice. Exactly where the money goes to is what differs from state to state. Some states put all the revenue from the lottery into one trust fund that is allocated for a more broad and generalized group. Other states target specific programs such as, preserving natural parks or assisting the educational system with additional funds. The State of Alabama does not have a lottery and its locals are the ones missing out. Due to the lack of the lottery in Alabama, those who choose to play the lottery must travel out of the state, which means their money goes to other state’s lotteries benefiting that states programs and ultimately its residents. By keeping the peoples money in the state a lottery will open an endless amount of opportunities to better state supported programs and the state as a whole.

The lottery in this country is a big past time for Americans. It gives hope to the hopeless and disappointment to a multitude of participants. A quick view of statistical information regarding the lottery shows that out of all people who take part in this country wide phenomenon, each individual person has a 1 in 175,223,510 chance of hitting the jackpot (AmericanStatisticalAssociation.org). The author of “Against The Odds and Against the Common Good”, argues that the state lotteries are “urging people to gamble”. Gloria Jimenez, of whom is the author of “Against The Odds and Against the Common Good”, creates assumptions that support her stance on her argument. Jimenez also uses the viewpoint from people who disagree with her logic, by stating various counter statements that contradict her stance. To fully understand Jimenez, we have to view the different factors of her stance on why states should not be urging people to gamble, assumptions that she makes to support her stance and countering views of people who don’t necessarily agree with her argument.

The article entails information about the numerous benefits of having a state-run lottery. The first portion gives recent information about the economic climate in the United States. As several states are seeking creative ways to meet financial needs without increasing taxes. It is noted that a state lottery is a form of voluntary taxation that allows the state government to achieve enhancements in education, welfare program, public transportation, etc. Secondly, information about the history of the lottery was explained in great detail as to why the lottery is used as a tool by government and other entities dating back over 500 years. Great examples were given such as President Thomas Jefferson using the lottery as a means to sell his property,

Lotteries are in a general sense not the same as other gambling in one essential way: they are afforded only by the state. The lottery is more than a disputable approach to add a minimal expenditure to state capitals. Some may argue that lotteries are a tax on the underprivileged, a tax on individuals who are mathematically challenged, even a tax on the stupid, but most people don’t actually believe the lottery is a tax. According to Henry Fielding “Lotteries are taxable, upon all the fools in creation; And Heav’n be praised, it is easily raised, Credulity’s always in Fashion; For, Folly’s a Fund, will never lose Ground; While Fools are so rife in the Nation” (Henry Fielding, 1989, p 215). As stated by Business Insider “lotteries are regressive taxes on underprivileged individuals, in that a ticket costs somewhat more for a deprived individual than a wealthy individual, and punitive taxes on poor people and uneducated

“The Lottery” is a short story written by Shirley Jackson and published in 1948. The title of the story initially leads readers to believe the story is going to be about someone winning some kind of prize. Even the opening of the story seems to protest any foul play or cruel behavior. What the reader is introduced to is a seemingly friendly gathering of a small village community, members all gathered around anxiously awaiting their drawing for the lottery. The village members all chatter amongst one another in a tone that kind neighbors would take with one another. To the surprise of the reader, the story provides a shocking twist. The story is not about someone winning a prize. Instead the story reveals

In today’s society we perceive the lottery as being a great fortune brought down upon you by Lady Luck. It is a serendipitous event, even if the person has done nothing to earn it. One would never see the lottery as an unfortunate occasion that occurred in your life because it is supposed to bring prosperity into your life. Also, one would not dare to think that winning the lottery would bring such repercussions as injury or death. In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the author could have used Mrs. Tessie Hutchinson as the town’s scapegoat due to their reluctance to change traditions, her horrible work ethic, and minority status as a woman.

Winning a large sum of money, such as the lottery, can lead a person into trouble. There are multiple instances where lottery winners are injured or murdered through home invasions and other crimes. Releasing their personal information to the public almost sets a target on their back, which why some states allow winners to claim their prize anonymously.

The Lottery has a twist to it and you would have never thought about this. They do this every year only for one reason. They keep the tradition alive by doing it every year and everyone has an evil side.

A lottery winner will begin to feel the need to flaunt their wealth because of their popularity. In result, a lottery winner will start buying flashy things for display and buying others overly expensive gifts to show how wealthy they are. Not considering the cost of their flashy and expensive objects, can cause a lottery winner to lose all their winnings in a matter of time. Therefore, the popularity given to a lottery winner isn’t beneficial because the fame and wealth results into dishonor and debt.

The Lottery begins like any other day. Clear and sunny skies, flowers blossoming, and green grass. Seemingly nothing out of the ordinary. Then people begin to gather in the town square. What is this lottery that is taking place? Do the people of the town agree with it? These questions can only be answered by exploring the minds of the people in the town.